Paddle Forward

Anacani Walters
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Paddle Forward is a podcast that takes you on a transformative journey through motherhood, mindfulness, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the realms of yoga and SUP instruction. Just like paddling through life, this podcast encourages you to embrace the concept of always moving forward, finding strength in the present moment, and discovering your true potential. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, tools for personal growth, or a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you, Paddle Forward is your compass for navigating the currents of life with grace and intention.

  1. Ep 3. Navigating Fear with Self-Love and Trust

    10H AGO

    Ep 3. Navigating Fear with Self-Love and Trust

    Fear isn’t the problem, misreading it is. In this episode of Paddle Forward: Navigating Life’s Currents, Anacani Walters breaks down one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences women face: fear. Instead of treating fear as weakness or something to “push through,” Anacani reframes it as valuable feedback from the nervous system, a signal designed to keep us safe, not stuck. Drawing from her lived experience as a mama, nurse-turned-entrepreneur, yoga teacher, and stand-up paddleboard instructor, Anacani explains why traditional “fearless mindset” advice often leads to burnout, avoidance, and self-judgment. She shares how self-love isn’t something you practice after fear disappears, it’s how you move with fear in a regulated, grounded way. You’ll learn how to recognize fear as data, how to pause instead of override your body’s signals, and how to build real confidence through self-trust rather than perfection. The episode closes with a simple, powerful grounding practice you can use the very next time fear shows up in your body, business, or life. This episode is for anyone who’s tired of pushing through, tired of waiting to feel “ready,” and ready to move forward without abandoning themselves. What You’ll LearnWhy fear is not a flaw, but a nervous system responseHow misreading fear leads to burnout, avoidance, and self-doubtThe difference between fearlessness and self-trustWhy self-love is about listening, not forcing confidenceA simple grounding practice to regulate fear in real timeHow to keep moving forward with fear instead of waiting for it to disappear Timestamps00:00 – Fear Isn’t the Problem 01:08 – Welcome to Paddle Forward 01:43 – Season Two Kickoff 02:18 – Why Fear Is So Misunderstood 03:45 – Fear as Nervous System Feedback 06:01 – Self-Love vs. Fearless Mindset 08:19 – Practical Steps to Handle Fear 09:47 – Recap & Key Takeaways 10:39 – How You Can Support the Podcast 11:12 – Closing Message Your Quick WinThe next time fear shows up: Pause for one breathPut your feet on the floor and ground yourselfAsk: “What is this fear trying to protect?” That single question can interrupt the spiral and bring you back into regulation. Help This Podcast Grow 💗 If this episode helped you reframe fear even a little: Save this episodeShare it with someone who’s been hard on themselves for feeling afraidLeave a review to help this message reach more hearts Your support keeps Paddle Forward flowing. Stay ConnectedFollow Anacani Walters for more mindful movement, nervous system support, and real-life self-trust: Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/heyitsanacani/" rel="noopener...

    12 min
  2. Ep 2. Trusting Your Instincts: Overcoming the Fear of Judgment

    JAN 23

    Ep 2. Trusting Your Instincts: Overcoming the Fear of Judgment

    In this episode of Paddle Forward: Navigating Life’s Currents, host Anacani Walters shares a deeply personal moment from motherhood that became a powerful reminder about self-trust, fear, and nervous system regulation. After feeling pressure to override her instincts when her three-year-old son fell during a hike, Anacani noticed something important: she was apologizing for her nervous system instead of trusting it. By pausing, acknowledging her son’s emotions, and helping him regulate, the moment resolved quickly, and revealed a deeper truth about alignment, intuition, and emotional safety. This episode isn’t about parenting “right.” It’s about trusting yourself when judgment is loud, in motherhood, business, relationships, and life. 🌊 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeIn this episode, Anacani explores: Why discomfort and fear are data, not dysfunctionHow regulation works faster than suppressionWhy aligning with yourself creates safety, for you and for othersHow acknowledging emotions can shorten stressful momentsWhat happens when you stop overriding your instincts to avoid judgment She also reflects on insights from Inner Compass work shared by Panda Hershey, which helped her better understand how different people process stress, embarrassment, and connection, especially children who are wired for relational safety. 💡 Cultural Context: What Is “Sana Sana”?“Sana sana” is a comforting phrase commonly used in Latin households when a child is hurt. It’s often paired with gentle touch or reassurance and serves as a moment of emotional acknowledgment and care, helping a child feel seen and safe, rather than dismissed. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: Trusting Your Nervous System 00:29 – Welcome to Paddle Forward 01:07 – Parenting, Pressure, and Fear of Judgment 05:05 – Why Acknowledgment Leads to Regulation 07:15 – Three Key Takeaways on Self-Trust 11:23 – Final Reflections on Fear and Alignment 12:29 – Closing Encouragement 🧭 Key TakeawaysYour nervous system isn’t wrong — discomfort is communication.Regulation is faster than suppression — what we fear will “make it worse” often shortens the moment.You don’t need to override yourself to be respected — alignment builds safety and trust. ✨ Gentle Action StepThe next time you feel the urge to override your instincts because someone is watching: Pause. Ask yourself: “What is my nervous system telling me right now?” Then respond from that place, not perfectly, just honestly. 💌 Help This Podcast GrowIf this episode resonated with you, you can help Paddle Forward grow by: ⭐ Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify🔁 Sharing this episode with someone who needs itspan class="ql-ui"...

    13 min
  3. Ep 1. Navigating the Anxiety of Motherhood: How the Mom Brain Rewires Fear, Stress, and Self-Trust

    JAN 9

    Ep 1. Navigating the Anxiety of Motherhood: How the Mom Brain Rewires Fear, Stress, and Self-Trust

    A real-life hiking story in Oahu that reveals how maternal anxiety shapes our nervous system, and how awareness helps us respond instead of react. What causes anxiety in motherhood? Motherhood anxiety is often caused by neurological and hormonal changes that rewire the brain for heightened protection and threat detection, a process known as matrescence. Increased awareness of stress responses helps parents regulate their nervous system and model emotional safety for their children. This directly answers: “Why am I more anxious as a mom?”“Is anxiety normal after becoming a parent?”“What is the mom brain?” Motherhood doesn’t make you anxious, it rewires your brain for protection. In the first episode of Paddle Forward Season 2, host Anacani Walters shares a powerful real-life moment from a hike in Oahu with her 3-year-old and her mom that stopped her in her tracks. As her stress levels rose on the trail, Ana noticed her son begin to repeat her own anxious language, revealing how deeply children mirror a parent’s nervous system. Drawing from her background in emergency medicine, yoga, and matrescence education, Ana explores why maternal anxiety is not a personal failure but a biological response rooted in survival. She unpacks how awareness becomes the first step toward regulating stress, reshaping communication, and modeling resilience for our children. This episode sets the tone for Season 2 of Paddle Forward...where motherhood, identity, fear mindset, stress management, and holistic wellness meet real life. If you’ve ever questioned your reactions as a parent or felt overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility, this episode is for you. ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Rewiring the Mom Brain 00:43 – Welcome to Paddle Forward 01:30 – Life Update: Okinawa to Oahu 02:13 – Sensory Overload & Re-entry Stress 03:00 – Choosing the Hike 04:27 – Anxiety on the Trail 08:22 – When Kids Mirror Our Stress 09:19 – Understanding Maternal Anxiety & Matrescence 10:41 – Awareness as the First Tool for Change 14:21 – Season 2 Themes & Closing Reflection If this episode resonated, share it with another parent who needs permission to breathe. Leave a review to help this message ripple outward and remember: awareness is the first paddle stroke forward. motherhood anxiety, matrescence, parenting stress management, anxiety in parents, self-love for mothers, holistic wellness for moms, body image issues, stress and parenting, burnout recovery, emotional regulation in parenting, hiking with kids, mindfulness for mothers, coping with motherhood anxiety, maternal mental health, navigating motherhood challenges, overcoming parenting fears, yoga for moms, self-trust in parenting, mindful parenting practices, nurturing resilience in children

    15 min

  4. 06/17/2025

    Ep 41. Pack the Diaper Bag Anyway: Navigating Setbacks, Injured Hands & Motherhood with Grace, Grit, and One Thumb | Paddle Forward Podcast

    What do you do when life sideswipes your plans with a financial curveball and a freak playground accident? You breathe, you cry, and you paddle forward—one thumb at a time. In this raw, car-recorded episode of Paddle Forward, host Anacani Walters shares how losing a major contract and nearly breaking both hands on a rainy day slide with her toddler became a crash course in presence over perfection. From adrenal fatigue awareness to the metaphor of the “diaper bag mindset,” Anacani unpacks how emotional preparedness, softness, and backup plans can shift how we mother, move, and lead. This is for every woman navigating uncertainty with grace, grit, and love. Especially if you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together—with one working hand and a full heart. 💫 Listen in for: A permission slip to rest Oceanic metaphors for resilience A gentle nudge to “pack your diaper bag anyway” TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction and Life's Unexpected Storms 00:23 Recording from the Car: Embracing Imperfection 00:48 Life's Recent Challenges and Adjustments 02:10 The Park Incident: A Painful Lesson 06:04 Coping Mechanisms and Personal Growth 08:28 Metaphorical Diaper Bag: Preparing for the Unexpected 10:44 Embracing Transitions and Moving Forward 12:18 Conclusion and Encouragement Because even when your hands are bruised, your spirit can still rise. 🧜🏽‍♀️ Let’s Stay Connected & Keep Paddling Forward Together Thanks for joining me today on Paddle Forward: Navigating Life’s Currents. If this episode stirred something in your heart or reminded you of your own strength, don’t paddle alone. ✨ Visit anacaniwalters.com to explore holistic wellness support, yoga flows for motherhood, and free guides like "Top 12 Poses for Motherhood." 🌊 Dive into the ocean-inspired sisterhood at PHAT Mermaids for SUP classes, retreats, and confidence coaching: phatmermaids.com 🧡 Stay in the flow with us: Instagram: @anacaniwalters | @phatmermaids Facebook Groups: Thriving Moms Over 30 + PHAT Mermaids Lagoon Mindful Roots Hub: Stress support, oils, and mindful parenting tools 💌 Want more self-love, stories, and strength? Sign up for my private member area and weekly love notes at anacaniwalters.com. 📣 Ready to bring oceanic empowerment to your next event or retreat? Invite me to speak. We rise, we fall, we float, we paddle again. I’m so glad you’re here. Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share the episode with another mermaid who needs this wave of support. #PaddleForward #PHATMermaids #MatrescenceMagic #OceanHealing #MotherhoodUnfiltered

    13 min

  5. 05/28/2025

    Ep 40. Beat the Heat: Body Wisdom, SUP Safety & Summer Prep for Moms Over 30 | Paddle Forward

    In this soul-soaked episode of Paddle Forward, Anacani Walters explores the deeper layers of heat exhaustion—not just physical, but mental, emotional, and energetic. Sharing a real-life moment from the Okinawa zoo (hello, toddler meltdown in the sun 🌞), she walks you through how to listen to your body like you would your child—before it’s in crisis mode. Whether you’re a paddleboard beginner or just trying to parent through a sticky summer, this episode will help you create real-time tools for hydration, breath, self-regulation, and radical preparation. This episode is for: Mamas running hot, fast, and overwhelmed Women pushing through burnout (and needing permission to pause) SUP-curious souls wondering how to start with confidence ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00:00] Intro: It doesn’t take a crisis to be exhausted [00:01:13] Splash pad story: Toddler meltdowns + Bento wins [00:02:27] Signs of heat exhaustion you might be missing [00:03:31] SUP as a safety model for everyday life [00:04:08] The body is a body of water—stop treating it like a robot [00:05:19] Hydration, meals, rest: A 3-point body check-in [00:06:10] Call to care: Free guides, support, and final Okinawa summer sessions [00:07:22] Wrap-up: Ocean wisdom, mermaid mantras, and your seasonal shift 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🧜🏽‍♀️ Free SUP Confidence Booster Guide Feel safer and more empowered on the water—even if you’re nervous, new, or not sure you “fit the mold.” 👉 https://phatmermaids.com/sup-confidence 🧘🏽‍♀️ Staying Sane as a Busy Parent Guide Daily mindset & energy reset tips for moms juggling summer heat, toddler meltdowns, and identity shifts. → Get it inside the EmpowerHER Mama Collective FB group 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerhermamacollective 📍 Okinawa Friends: Let’s Paddle Together! This is my final summer offering in-person stand-up paddleboard lessons on island. Book now! 👉 https://phatmermaids.com 📲 Let’s Stay Connected IG (SUP Life & Mermaid Magic): @phatmermaids IG (Personal + Matrescence): @anacaniwalters Podcast: https://anacaniwalters.podbean.com

    8 min

  6. 05/22/2025

    Ep 39. The Diaper Bag Mindset: How Everyday Prep Builds Confidence On the Water, In Parenting & Beyond

    Welcome back to Paddle Forward! In this heartfelt first episode, Anacani Walters unpacks what she calls the “Diaper Bag Mindset”—a way of preparing for life’s messy moments with compassion, confidence, and clarity. Whether you’re heading to a splash pad with your toddler or your first stand-up paddleboard lesson, this episode invites you to reframe preparation as self-love, not fear. We cover: 🔥 The real-life splash pad moment that inspired this episode 🧠 Why prepping isn’t about expecting disaster—it’s about protecting joy 🌊 How paddleboarding and parenting both require soft strength 💥 How the Diaper Bag Mindset creates more ease, confidence, and grace 💌 Two free guides to help you feel more prepared in whatever season you’re in Let this be your reminder that confidence doesn’t come from having it all together. It comes from packing your bag, showing up, and knowing you’ve got this—even when it gets messy. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: [00:00:00] The unseen strength of “quiet confidence” [00:01:45] Splash pad mom win: Why preparation matters [00:03:30] The Diaper Bag Mindset: Compassion over control [00:05:00] Baby & Me Yoga + SUP: Easing the fear through thoughtful preparation [00:07:30] The real reason we fear new experiences (and how to calm it) [00:08:45] Free support: SUP Confidence Booster Guide + Parenting Resource [00:09:30] A real-life moment of emergency prep at the park [00:10:30] Embodiment check-in: “What do I need to feel safe today?” [00:11:30] Permission slips, community, and how to paddle forward together [00:12:00] Final mantra: “Fall. Float. Rise.” 🔗 CONNECT + DOWNLOADS 🎁 Free SUP Confidence Booster Guide Feel safer, stronger, and more ready to paddle—even if you’re a total beginner. 👉 www.anacaniwalters.com/supconfidence 🎁 Staying Sane as a Busy Parent Guide Daily tools to help moms over 30 manage stress, identity shifts, and the messy middle. 👉 Join the Thriving Moms Over 30 FB Group to access: www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingmomsover30 📲 Follow & Connect IG: @anacaniwalters FB: PHAT Mermaids Community Web: www.anacaniwalters.com 🧜🏽‍♀️ Want to paddle with me before I leave Okinawa? Check out final summer SUP lessons and community events → Schedule Here 🎧 Subscribe to Paddle Forward Because you deserve stories that support your healing, strength, and joy: 👉 https://anacaniwalters.podbean.com

    12 min

  7. 04/10/2025

    Ep. 38 The Fear Is Never Really About the Water: How SUP Helps Women Reclaim Confidence

    In this powerful episode of Paddle Forward: Navigating Life’s Currents, Anacani Walters gets real about what’s actually stopping so many women from trying something new — and it’s not the water. From body image struggles to fear of failure and judgment, Anacani unpacks the hidden fears that hold us back in life and how stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) helped her confront them all. Whether you’re a mom, a midlife queen, or just a woman ready to reconnect with your strength, this episode is your invitation to paddle forward — fear and all. You'll learn: Why the fear isn’t about the activity, it’s about self-worth How SUP and SUP Yoga helped Anacani rewrite her inner narrative What falling in the water can teach us about standing tall in life How moms can use confidence on the water to ripple into parenting, self-care, and beyond 🔗 FREE GIFT → Grab your Self-Confidence Booster Guide and start building belief in yourself — one brave breath at a time. 🌊 Want to paddle with me? Join a local SUP class in Okinawa, Japan or explore my Fearless SUP Online Course to conquer fear from anywhere. 🧘‍♀️ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Welcome to Paddle Forward 00:07 – The deeper fears women carry 02:02 – My personal fear journey (yes, including fear of water!) 04:56 – The moment SUP yoga shifted everything 09:55 – How bravery isn’t the absence of fear — it’s showing up anyway 14:56 – Free resources + local/online ways to paddle forward 16:59 – Final pep talk & next steps 💬 Let’s Stay Connected: ✨ Instagram: @phatmermaids or @anacaniwalters ✨ Facebook Group: Thriving Women Over 30 ✨ Website & Freebies: phatmermaids.com/freebies

    18 min

  8. 04/04/2025

    Ep 37. Rainy Days, Scary Thoughts & Showing Up Anyway: Real Talk for Overwhelmed Moms

    Feeling touched out, overwhelmed, or just not okay lately? You’re not alone. In this heart-led solo episode, Anacani gets real about what it’s like to navigate motherhood, mental health, and rainy season chaos in Okinawa—all while trying to hold it together. If your nervous system is fried and your self-talk is spiraling, this episode is the hand on your back reminding you: you’re not broken, you’re just human. We’re diving into: ✨ Postpartum anxiety & intrusive thoughts ✨ The myth of maternal instinct (a.k.a. parental bias) ✨ Emotional survival during Okinawa’s rainy season ✨ The truth about scary thoughts—and why they don’t make you a bad mom ✨ Nervous system resets that don’t require silence or alone time 💌 Want to feel more supported this season? Grab my free Rainy Season Survival Guide made for overwhelmed mamas in Okinawa—it's packed with simple sensory play ideas, nervous system resets, and affirmations that actually help. 👉 Download the free guide here (You’ll also get my cozy weekly notes—think permission slips, messy truths, and real-life wellness tips.) 🎧 Like this episode? Here’s how you can support + stay connected: Subscribe so you never miss an episode Leave a quick review—it helps the podcast grow Screenshot this episode & tag me @anacaniwalters on IG so I can send you a thank-you gift 💛 DM me “podcast” for support, collabs, or to just say hi! ✨ More from Anacani: • Join my Baby & Me or Toddler Yoga Classes → anacaniwalters.com • Follow on IG, FB, YT → @anacaniwalters

    22 min
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About

Paddle Forward is a podcast that takes you on a transformative journey through motherhood, mindfulness, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the realms of yoga and SUP instruction. Just like paddling through life, this podcast encourages you to embrace the concept of always moving forward, finding strength in the present moment, and discovering your true potential. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, tools for personal growth, or a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you, Paddle Forward is your compass for navigating the currents of life with grace and intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Anacani Walters
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anacani Walters
  • Show Website
    Paddle Forward